Acura readies 286-hp TL Type S
UPDATE 1
The Boston Globe spilled the beans! For MY 2007, Acura has added a Type S model to the TL range. Those who opt for the package are rewarded with a 3.5L V6 churning out 286 horses and 256 lb.-ft. of torque, 28 hp and 23 lb.-ft. better than the base TL's 3.2L mill.
Subtle detail changes differentiate the Type -S from the standard car. A mesh grille, wheel/tire upgrade, rear spoiler, quad exhaust outlets and, of course, Type S badging identify it as such. Inside, the Type S gets sportier seating, carbon fiber trim, and racy steel pedals. A sport-tuned suspension is in place to give the car improved handling to go with its added punch. Expect a retail price of around $39,000.
We're guessing that an official announcement will likely come this week, now that a major media outlet has broken the story. We'll have photos and complete specs as soon as Honda makes them available to us.
Thanks to reader Raghu fir the tip!
[Source: The Boston Globe]
UPDATE 1: Click here to see a shot of what the 2007 Acura TL Type S will actually look like.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DJ 11:21AM (8/06/2006)
"Expect a retail price of around $39,000."
Why bother? If you shop around you can pick up a 2006 RL with 300HP, SH-AWD and a lot of other goodies for $41-43,000. A local dealer had a demo for sale recently with 3000 miles for $39,995.
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Buster Hymen 11:41AM (8/06/2006)
Don't forget that Acura will also put out an RL base without all the technical doo dads as the RL in it's current form isn't selling well at all (down 24% month 05 to month 06 of July and down 31.5% for year 05 to date 06.
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Nate 12:05PM (8/06/2006)
If you look closely at the pic. On the bottom-right of the trunk it appears as though it carries SH-AWD badging. Badges...?
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Eddie 12:11PM (8/06/2006)
#3. That would be the A-SPEC badge, as the picture represents a TL A-SPEC.
Seeing as the TL is acura's top selling model, i think it will do well. I just hope that all of that power doesnt create a ton of torque steer.
Also, about the RL. I think that if the car wasnt sold as optionless, and started at a lower price, that it would do much better. It is, afterall, a great car.
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John Baker 12:18PM (8/06/2006)
Buy one to celebrate Jenson Button's huge 14th-place-to-1st win for Honda F1! Heh.
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Adam 12:21PM (8/06/2006)
The TL would be the perfect car if it were RWD. I love the interior, way better than either the BMW 3-series or Infiniti G35, fantastic looks, wonderful features.....but I can't get past the "wrong wheel drive", and the fact it's FWD will allways make Acura (to me at least) an upscale option to Honda, rather than a serious competitor to BMW, Mercedes or Lexus.
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Ted K 12:33PM (8/06/2006)
Adam, why not focus on the results instead? Seems pretty superficial to attribute so much of a car to a single implementation detail. If the torque steer or cornering speed are poor that's one thing, but you're not talking about that, just getting caught up on spec sheets.
And, let's be real for a moment here: no 3-series/G35/MBZ buyer is half the driver they think they are. They ever hit the tracks in their fat, expensive sedans?
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David P B 1:00PM (8/06/2006)
#1 - What kinda logic is that?
The TL type S will be much faster and sportier. If you want more luxry, then go for the RL.
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Mansoor 1:03PM (8/06/2006)
I agree with you guys about FWD argument. But I dont see hardcore racers or autocrossers buying this vehicle anyway. For daily driving and occassional highway speeding this car has more than enough potential. Most people wont be able to bring this car to its limits anyway so it doesn't really matter if its FWD or RWD. Although making it RWD will make it one hell of a competitor against the 3-series.
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Smoove D 1:27PM (8/06/2006)
$40,000 and no rear wheel drive? Acura is kidding, right? I guess they didn't learn anything from the overpriced, under styled and under cylindered RL. I won't be trading in my '04 TL, that's for sure.
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JM 1:58PM (8/06/2006)
For your average luxury car buyer, someone who doesn't race, autocross, or drive hard, FWD is a non-issue and may even be a benefit compared to RWD if they live in snowy areas.
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risingsun 2:00PM (8/06/2006)
I think within the next few years you will see Acura move to SH-AWD on all of their vehicles, because Adam pointed out correctly that most people see Acura as just an upscale Honda due to the FWD. The RL will be refreshed with a face that more closely matches the Acura corporate design. The TSX will get SH-AWD and the 2.3L turbo K series, and a TSX coupe will debut. Now, where's that NSX?
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Drewboy 3:00PM (8/06/2006)
I'd be interested in this if they were able to get rid of the torque steer that supposedly dogs the regular TL. If they can't get that under control, why bother giving it more power?
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Ketan 3:32PM (8/06/2006)
#12: "The TSX will get SH-AWD and the 2.3L turbo K series"
What kind of timeframe do you speculate for something like that? The SH-AWD is what's keeping me looking at the RL and the RDX...altho I don't want a big/older-person car like the RL or an SUV-type like the RDX. Wish they would put the SH-AWD on the TSX or TL. And they def need to bump-up the power on the TSX.
But since there's no timeline on this, my current prospect is the 2007 G35x Sedan coming out in November...unless Acura can get it together by then.
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Rob 3:53PM (8/06/2006)
You know, its tiring to hear people whine about the TL's torque steer and FWD and cite it as the reason why they would "never consider a TL"... I've had my TL for a year now, and seeing as how I'm not doing laps around Nürburgring daily, this car has served me well. Its 258 power is way more than I will ever need, and is plenty good enough to let me race somebody a little every now and then :)
I chose it over the G35 and thought it was a MUCH better value than the 3 series...it looks great inside and outside. I still get compliments on it very often.
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risingsun 4:26PM (8/06/2006)
#14: Now that the RSX is gone, and the RDX is out, sporting the 2.3L turbo and SH-AWD, I'm guessing that the refreshed Acura models will have staggered releases during the entire year of 2007, at the various auto shows. Since the major complaint on the RL has been the sheetmetal, I expect a very modern update, similar to the jump the Civic made, in fact I expect this across the rest of Honda's products.
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risingsun 4:28PM (8/06/2006)
Oh, and #1: The POINT of an upgraded package is to get people to pay more, because they can and want to. Some people will pay big bucks to have a special badge on the truck and some trinkets to make it seem worth it. Why do you think almost every car is available with a gold badge package? Car companies make a killing off of options and accessories. Look at the Harley Davidson F150, Eddie Bauer anything, L.L. Bean Subarus, Orvis Jeeps, King Ranch super duties. People like to feel special, and they are more than willing to pay the price.
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Adam 4:36PM (8/06/2006)
@Ted K,
FWD is more than an "item on a spec sheet", FWD affects the entire personality of a car, and while you can bandaid it with high HP and upgraded suspension, a RWD car will still be more fun to drive in terms of feel, driver communication and dynamics.
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DJ 4:47PM (8/06/2006)
As far as SH-AWD for the TL, that's supposedly coming with the MY2009 redesign. For 07, the addition of the Type-S and noticeable, but not substantial cosmetic changes are on tap to keep things fresh until 09. The car has definitely not aged since it was introduced. The TSX is slated to get a full model change for MY2008. SH-AWD and a coupe variant are possible.
Here's more - http://www.vtec.net/modelmatrix/
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pd 4:59PM (8/06/2006)
I've driven one of these things and they are TORQUE STEERING PIGS,and no you dont have to be at a race track to experience it. The worse car that i have driven, torque steer wise since the old turbo eclipse. This car desperately needs RWD.
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